HISTORY OF THE MALADY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 7

HISTORY OF THE MALADY.

RAPID CULMINATION. London, May 8. The late King's troublo first manifested itself in Paris, where he stopped while on his way to Biarritz. , Ho suffered in Paris from acute indigestion, and as a consequence hft shortened his visit to the play "Chant-ec-ler/i' and passed fi bad night afterwards. The chill developed- into bronchitis at Biarritz. It was not considered dangerous, but suggested tho necessity or cxtromo care being token. Motor excursions wero mado in the closing days of his visit to France, King Edward was bronzed and exceptionally < well-looking when Sir Georgo Rcid (Australian ■ High Commissioner) and others welcomed him on his return to London on April 27. Ho attended tho opera three hours after arrival. Last Thursday week he received Lord Kitchener as a friend, and presented him''with a Field Marshal's baton. Ho lunched at the Duke of Fife's palaco, being one of a large Royal party. On t-lio Friday lie. visited the Royal Academy, and cave audiences to several Ambassadors, Viscount Jlorloy (Secretory for India), and Mr, Haldane (Secretary for War). He also bade farewell to Lord Gladstone (First Gov-ernor-General of South Africa) and Lady' Gladstone, prior to their depatturo from England. The First Alarming Symptom. On the Sunday ho attended Sandringliam Church, • but .the'east wind and rapid changes of climate proved trying after tho mild weather at Biarritz. On Monday he. was suffering from nasal catarrh and bronchial irritation, and had. a slight temperature. On tliu following night (last Tuesday)' he had a : violent attack of coughing, with heart, failure.

At the first alarming symptom the doctors), including Sir Douglas Powell (Physician Extraordinary),, with- Dr. Thomas Barrow, tho greatest English heart specialist, were hurriedly summoned. _ For an hour the doctors had great difficulty in restoring tho King's breath, but tho trouble eventually yielded to treatment. Quo.cn Alexandra was framed. His Majesty Was better on Wednesday, but his heart was weaker 011 Thursday, and Queen Alexandra was again warned. Oxygen was administered at intervals.. A storm delayed tho Royal yacht on which Queen, Alexandra was returning. The accompanying destroyer reached Dover in advance, and ordered tho port railway authorities to arrango for the most speedy departure of Queen Alexandra's train. Tho King's violent coughing on Thursday afternoon necessitated a public announcement. He passed a comfortable night in a room in tho northeast corner of. Buckingham Palace, facing Constitution Hill, where he was not disturbed by traffic. During Thursday night Queen Alexandra had only brief rests on a couch in the sittingrooni near by, Princess Victoria sharing the vigil. Thenceforward Queen Alexandra only saw relations, the .physicians, and Nurse Fletcher. The Events of Friday. | On Friday early callers, including Mrs. Asquith . and Lord Rothschild, brought away boxful tidings, but tho doctors feared ■ that unless tho bronchitis abated tho King would not have sufficient strength to withstand tho spasms. Before issuing tho 10.30 a.m. bulletin, tho doctors consulted tile Prince of Wales, who was greatly surprised and distressed concerning its wording. The public then realised tho seriousness of the King's condition. Tho King insisted on seeing his private secretary, I/ord Knollys. During Friday morning ho had coughing fits, but in the afternoon the coughing was somewhat less frequent. The Princess of Wales returned to Marlborough House, it being understood that the King was able to sit up and take ten with the Ttoyal personages present, but symptoms of heart failure developed. On tho first evidence of a crisis in tho King's condition, tho Prince of Wales was hurriedly recalled at 7 p.m. to bid farewell to his Majesty.. A Special Messenger was also sent to Mr. Winston Churchill (Home Secretary), The Bishop of Ripon, Clerk of tho Closet, left tho Palace at 8.30. Questioned. he said tho King was in a very critical state. Tho Drtkc of Fife (tho late King's son-in-law) arrived later. Closing Scenes— Queen and Heir Recognised. . Sir Francis Laking and Sir .fames Roid (two of the physicians in attendance), at 10' o'clock informed the Royal personages, who were waiting in an adjoining room, that the end was a matter of time. Queen Alexandra and the Prince of Wales returned to the sick room. The King was able to recognise his wife and lirir. At U o'clock the rest of the family gathered.around the bocUido.

The King was rapidly sinking, but was free from, pain. , The Archbishop of Canterbury offered up special prayers, and held a short scrvice at : tho bedside. •

The of coma into which the Royal patient had fallen ended in a peaceful death at 11 .'ls p.m.

(Constitution Hill is an elevation near Buckingham Palace. Three attempts upon the lifo of Queen Victoria were mads here ,by insane or idiotic, persons in 1840, 1842, and 1849. _ Buckingham Palace, the London residence of the Sovereign, is situated,at the western end of St. James's Park. It was settled by Act of Parliament in 1775 upon Queen Charlotte, and was hence known as tho "queen's house." It was remodelled under George IV; and the eastern facade, ballroom, and some other portions were added by Queen Victoria, who began to occupy it in 18.17. The .State apartments are magnificently adorned and furnished, the grand staircase, tho throne-room, mid the'state ballroom being especially notable.' There is a priceless collection of French bultl and other furniture, and the picture gallery contains a number of old and modern masterpieces.]